asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state whether any regulations exist which prevent employees of his Department taking part in the work of political organisations; and, if so, if he will state the terms of any such regulations, the date these regulations came into operation, when they were last changed and the nature of the change then made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Post Office Regulations re Politics.
Since before 1922 it was a departmental regulation that officials of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs should maintain a certain reserve in political matters; should not put themselves forward on one side or the other; and should not support or oppose any particular candidate or Party either by public speaking or writing.
In June, 1932, general directions were issued by the Minister for Finance which enunciated—
(a) that the nature and conditions of a civil servant's employment should of themselves suggest to him that he must maintain a reserve in political matters;
(b) that he must not put himself forward on one side or another and should do nothing that would give colour to a suggestion that his official actions are in any way influenced, or capable of being influenced by Party motives;
and indicated that any departure from official impartiality would be followed by disciplinary action.
The following specific instructions were embodied:—
(a) An official shall not be a member of an association or serve on a committee having for its object the promotion of the interests of a political Party or the promotion or prevention of the return of a particular candidate to the Dáil;
(b) an official shall not support or oppose any particular candidate or Party either by public speaking or writing;
(c) an official shall not make any verbal statements in public (or which are liable to be published), and shall not contribute to newspapers or other publications any letters or articles, conveying information, comment or criticism on any matter of current political interest, or which concern the political action or position of the Government or of any member or group of members of the Oireachtas.
It was made clear that the foregoing applied to action of an official whether taken by himself alone or in association with others.
The general Finance directions have not since been modified in any way.
The directions were brought to the notice of all Post Office employees at the time and have since formed part of the general code of departmental regulations.